GUWAHATI, March 28 - The Indian Railways is preparing to convert train coaches into isolation wards as part of the fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to meet the increasing demand for beds in the isolation wards.
�Such a plan can help us be well-prepared to meet any emergency. To start with, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is converting coaches at the Coach Maintenance Depot at Kamakhya and Guwahati into isolation wards after consulting medical professionals at NFR Central Hospital, Maligaon,� said Subhanan Chanda, Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR.
He added, �A non-AC sleeper coach has been converted into an isolation ward for patients suffering from Covid-19. Each cabin of the coach has been converted into an independent isolation ward which shall accommodate one patient. There are nine such cabins in one coach.�
As part of the effort, the middle berths have been removed from these cabins for keeping two feet bed space on the berths.
�Extra bottle holders and electric points are provided for medicines, IV fluids and medical equipment like oscilloscope monitor and suction apparatus. A foldable stool is available under the berth for keeping the medical equipment as and when required. Air plastic curtains have been provided between two cabins for privacy and isolation,� said Chanda.
The side berth end panel walls of the coach near the entry and exit doors have been removed for easy access of stretcher.
�One of the four toilets of the coach has been converted into a bathroom with facility for shower, bucket and mug. Insulated bamboo sheets have been put up on the roof and the side walls of the coach for reducing the heat transfer and temperature inside the isolation wards,� said the NFR CPRO.
